England were set for a difficult final day in the first Test after Kumar Sangakkara struck a majestic 152.

Dropped by Ian Bell on 98, Sangakkara became the first man in Tests to hit four 150s in as many matches before Sri Lanka finally declared on 422-8.

England lost Alastair Cook early as they reached stumps on 9-1, needing 350 in all for an unlikely victory.

Monty Panesar took 3-132, but Muttiah Muralitharan could prove a huge danger for England's batsmen on Wednesday.

By Mark Mitchener

606: DEBATE Discuss the day's play on 606

BAD LIGHT STOPPED PLAY - CLOSE

1154: That's it from me for the day. Join me tomorrow morning (play's starting at 0430 GMT again) for the denouement - will it be a backs-to-the-wall defiant draw? A lacklustre collapse? Or the greatest fourth-innings Test victory of all time? Have faith! The debate continues on 606 - thanks for all your e-mails and texts today, and enjoy the rest of your day.

"Re: Justin, Leeds (130th over) - I believe he's forgotten the glorious 2005 Ashes. Unfortunately most of that was down to KP, who's gone and done his hand in"
Andrew, Cardiff, in the TMS inbox

"Whilst I agree with Alex that some aspects of baseball fielding are far greater than cricket, the speed of throwing between bases is incredible! I however doubt that they would feel quite so happy to remove their gloves, and stand at slip with Brett Lee bowling at 90mph, or having Adam Gilchrist smash a 90mph ball straight to you at point!"
Pete (bored at work), Maidstone, in the TMS inbox

"Could we not see a mutiny at the wicket one of these times? When the captain in the dressing room, who has already batted, refuses to make a declaration, maybe the tailenders like Malinga and Muralitharan would 'accidentally' lose their wickets! Is there any known instance of suspicion over a batsman losing his wicket in such circumstances?"
Peter in Manchester in the TMS inbox

1145: Murali takes his hat off, he wants another over, but the umpires consult, offer the light and England take it immediately. They need an unlikely 341 more runs to win it tomorrow - or bat through three sessions for the draw.

5th over - Eng 9-1 (TARGET 350)
With the light fading, Jayawardene is forced to employ spin at both ends, so the veteran Sanath Jayasuriya removes his cap, revealing his bald head, and he'll send down some orthodox slow left-arm spin. He's in his final Test match and has 97 Test wickets - surely he couldn't pick up three more in this innings? Vaughan confidently plays forward, keeping the ball down well, as a silly point is brought in opposite the short leg. A maiden.

4th over - Eng 9-1 (TARGET 350)
The Slinger is off, possibly with an eye on the deteriorating light, and Muralitharan enters the fray. Anderson defiantly prods forward, not sure if he's able to read the spin or not. Jimmy nudges a single, as does Vaughan, who's showing confidence in his nightwatchman.

3rd over - Eng 7-1 (TARGET 350)
Anderson nudges a two through midwicket and a single into the covers. The Barmy Army, led by their trumpeter, give a rendition of "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" - curiously appropriate given the range of animals we've seen at the grounds in Sri Lanka (monkeys, dogs, snakes, scorpions etc). Vaughan sees off the rest of the over.

VM: "I don't think Alastair Cook likes batting at number one - he likes being number two. Vaughan could swap with him for the next Test"
CMJ: "I'd have preferred Sidebottom as nightwatchman"
VM: "After the first innings, he's too valuable!"
Vic Marks and Christopher Martin-Jenkins on TMS

2nd over - Eng 4-1 (TARGET 350)
Michael Vaughan takes strike for the first time against Lasith Malinga who is given the second over. The skipper looks a little nervous against the Slinger, but defends his stumps carefully. A maiden. Interestingly, Colly is padded up on the England balcony, but KP isn't even changed.

1st over - Eng 4-1 (TARGET 350)
One left-hander replaces another as James Anderson is sent in as nightwatchman. CMJ notes that it's a bit early to send in a nightwatchman as there is still technically half-an-hour's play left - but we expect to go off for bad light before that.

0.4 overs - WICKET - Cook c Silva b Vaas 4 - Eng 4-1 (TARGET 350)
Alastair Cook avoids a pair as he works Vaas off his legs for four through midwicket off the first ball of the innings. But he's then pouched at first slip off the fourth ball - so he's lasted a total of seven balls in the match. It was a good ball which swung away, but he's back in the hutch.

"Sangakkara now averages 152.9 since he gave up wicket-keeping"
Christopher Martin-Jenkins on TMS

"350 is the target, as long as KP, Colly, Bell gets out really early, SL will win"
Shivaji_theboss on 606

"I think England are down and out now. Murali will be like a hot knife through butter"
Simon Gardner, Coventry, in the TMS inbox

"I'm worried that if England are in sight of a win, Hoggy's back injury may curtail some of his vast array of strokes!"
Gordon Carr, Washington, in the TMS inbox

SRI LANKA SECOND INNINGS - ENGLAND SET 350 TO WIN

130th over - SL 442-8 declared
Still no sign of a declaration - last man Muralitharan is padded up and has his helmet on, ready to come in at the fall of a wicket. Fernando dabs a single from Monty's bowling, as does Vaas. Simon Hughes on TMS wonders if Sri Lanka are batting on if they suspect that England would be offered the light straight away against the faster bowlers. Fernando hits two twos before swinging high to long-on for a single as Sri Lanka add some more pointless runs. And then Jayawardene calls them in - a bizarre conclusion to the innings, and England will need 350 to win.

"So once again England have to bat out four sessions. Can anyone realistically see this happening? In fact when was the last time we managed this feat? Was it in the 19th Century?"
Justin, Leeds, in the TMS inbox

129th over - SL 435-8
Fernando takes a single off Colly, and Vaas guides a single to third man. Umpire Aleem Dar warns Vaas for running down the middle of the pitch - just on a length where he and Murali will be bowling. That's a bit naughty, Chaminda. Fernando takes the strike with a single.

"Sri Lanka are only wasting their own time here by not declaring now"
Simon Hughes, "The Analyst", on TMS

128th over - SL 432-8
New batsman is Dilhara Fernando. He takes a single off his first ball. Vaas has a red bandana on under his helmet, and he works Monty away for a couple.

"As a member of the Great Britain baseball team I can safely say that a game between a baseball team and a cricket team in either sport would be boring as hell. The baseball players would have no chance at a 90mph Harmison bouncer into their ribs, and cricket players would look like children against Pedro or Santana's arsenal of pitches. I will say though that cricketers are laughable in the field compared to baseball players (and don't say that they use a glove so it's easier, because anyone who knows anything about baseball will tell you how hard fielding a baseball travelling over a hundred is, even with a glove)"
Alex Malihoudis, Tonbridge, Kent, in the TMS inbox
[Having followed the GB team's recent successful results in the European Championship via Channel 5 baseball, well done to you and the team - MM]

127.2 overs - WICKET - Malinga b Panesar 2 - SL 429-8
Monty runs in to Vaas, with three men on the legside boundary. He pushes a quick single to point, runs through and the throw breaks the stumps at the bowler's end. Monty appeals for a run-out, but he had made his ground. Malinga's pads go straight up and down, like a hockey goalkeeper's, rather than being ribbed like normal pads, but they don't help him as he has a big heave, misses and is cleaned up by the Montster for his third wicket. Bizarrely, the drinks trolley is now brought on, mid-over. "England will want to make this the longest drinks break in history", says Aggers.

127th over - SL 428-7
Malinga must have got his pads on in double-quick, nay triple-quick time, as he's in ahead of Fernando - presumably to have a quick heave. He swipes at his first ball and takes two to long leg.

126.5 overs - WICKET - Sangakkara c Vaughan b Collingwood 152 - SL 426-7
Malinga, who normally bats at number 10, doesn't have his pads on but is changed with his bowling boots on - sign of an imminent declaration? But Murali, who bats 11, is padded up! Curiouser and curiouser. Buoyed by his wicket, Colly runs in to Sanga, who forward-pushes a single to long-on. Vaas hoicks Colly to midwicket where it goes first-bounce to 13th man Shah. They take a single. Then, Sanga clubs a low catch to Vaughan at midwicket, where a good low catch ends a marvellous innings.

"I don't know what everyone is so worried about. A cool 200 from a well rested KP alongside solid performances from Cook, Vaughan and Colly and this is in the bag"
Astonishing optimism from Rick, Dublin, in the TMS inbox

126th over - SL 424-6
Sanga takes a single off Monty. There are shadows on the pitch - Aggers thinks the light will be gone in an hour, so what will Vaas do? He normally likes to play a few shots, and he tries to get forward but can't get Monty away. Just one run from the over.

125th over - SL 423-6
New batsman Chaminda Vaas defends his first ball. Frankly, they could and should probably declare now.

124.5 overs - WICKET - P Jayawardene b Collingwood 20 - SL 423-6
Sangakkara is on 148. He's currently one of an august quintet to have scored 150s in three consecutive Tests, along with Wally Hammond, Don Bradman, Zaheer Abbas and Mudassar Nazar. Can he claim the record in his own right? He and Jayawardene take a single each, so Sanga's back on strike on 149. England bring in five men saving one, but Sanga hits it through the covers for his 150. Marvellous effort. Then, Colly bowls to Jayawardene, who gets an inside edge, and it looks like he's bowled him as the off bail comes off. Hasn't he? Jayawardene stands his ground. Umpires converge. And he's out. I suppose there was suspicion that the keeper's glove knocked the bail off. But replays show he was definitely bowled.

124th over - SL 420-5
Monty bowls over the wicket to the right-handed Jayawardene, who's thus able to kick away anything pitching outside leg stump. He runs a leg-bye, and Sanga runs one down to fine leg for a single. Sri Lanka's 12th man runs on with a drink of water for each batsman, and a pink towel.

123rd over - SL 418-5
CMJ reminds TMS listeners that Sangakkara is batting on his old school ground here - he takes a single to come within a boundary of his 150. Jayawardene waits patiently for Colly's slower ball and guides it tenderly to fine leg for a single. Sanga takes a single to long-off, but Jayawardene pinches the strike - while it is noted that England's highest ever winning fourth-innings score in their history was 332-7 in 1928/29. They already trail by 325 here.

122nd over - SL 414-5
Sanga goes aerial against Monty, and for a minute it looks like a repeat of Mubarak's dismissal, but the ball drops just in front of Swann at long-on and a single is the result, taking him to 145. Sri Lanka have a "Ted Rogers" overall lead - 321.

1028:INSECTS STOP PLAY - suddenly, all the players and umpires dive headlong to the turf (as if there's a sniper in the ground) as a huge swarm of insects buzz over the pitch! After a couple of minutes, it's all over, and Ian Bell does a press-up before they all stand up.

121st over - SL 413-5
Sanga trots through for another comfortable single to mid-off from Colly's first ball. Jayawardene grins and exchanges a word or two with keeper Prior, before he's hit on the thigh when Colly gets one to nip back off the seam. Jayawardene then clubs one towards the extra cover boundary - 13th man Owais Shah makes an impressive effort to stop the ball, but as he collapses in a heap over the rope, the ball trickles sideways and touches the rope too - so it's four.

"I notice you have described Colly as 'continuing the attack' - would it be not be fairer to say we have more of a bowling 'defence'?!"
AJ, Londinium, in the TMS inbox

120th over - SL 408-5
Monty wheels away for his 40th over, and Jayawarene guides him away for a single to leg. Sanga advances down the track for a drilled singleton to long-on. Monty stifles a shout when he hits Jayawardene on the pad. He's a little more excited when Jayawardene sweeps and misses and is hit on the pad again, but it pitched outside leg again.

"I have just filled a non-cricketing colleague in on the score here in the office (in Suffolk). She admits that until yesterday she had thought England were playing Sri Lanka in Canvey. With regards to cats - my kitten was named Monty, after the great man following the Old Trafford Test this summer"
Mark Crossley, Sudbury, in the TMS inbox

119th over - SL 406-5
Colly is still bowling pretty accurately here against Jayawardene junior. Until he tries to bang in a short one which Jayawardene hooks down to square leg for a single to take his score to 11. Sanga takes a single to increase his score to 142, while Jayawardene tickles a single to take the strike.

118th over - SL 403-5
Sanga off-drives Panesar to bring up the Sri Lanka 400, to the delight of their flag-waving fans. He and Jayawardene exchange singles at will, and the TMS crew ponder when the declaration may come - given that although the scheduled close of play is 1200 GMT, they've been off for bad light before that time every day so far. Sidey throws in wildly from the boundary, but the throw is backed up and at least they avoid an overthrow.

"Good morning! For the fourth time I have got in to follow the commentary and the fourth time fallen asleep and woken up with a banging hangover!"
Tom in the TMS inbox

117th over - SL 399-5
Colly continues the attack, and Sangakkara punches an easy single to long-off. Vic Marks on TMS has devised a solution to England's problems - force Sanga to take up wicket-keeping again! Jayawardene prods forward at a slower ball and Sidey runs in from short cover to complete the fielding. Just one from Colly's over.

116th over - SL 398-5
Jayawardene sweeps the Montster, and it evades the chasing Vaughan and goes for four. Monty then hits Jayawardene on the pad, but it pitched outside leg.

"In addition to Joe Ryan's comment, may I suggest your colleagues use 'wilt' and 'toil' in your match summary"
Billyboy in the TMS inbox

115th over - SL 394-5
Paul Collingwood is England's seventh bowler, and we're opening up with some military medium from the Durham man. Sanga takes a single to increase the overall lead to 300. Roshan Abeysinghe on TMS says that if he reaches 150, he'll be the first batsman ever to do so in four consecutive Tests. Jayawardene dabs a single to point. Hoggy is looking at a laptop on the England balcony - might he be looking at our text commentary? Send us an e-mail if you're watching, Hoggy - let us know how your back is!

1000: England's nine remaining fit fielders (minus KP - broken bone in finger, and Hoggy - bad back), plus 12th man Swann and 13th man Shah take the field.

"This match is heading towards one of those 'Brave England...' headlines that the BBC Sport website so adores"
Joe Ryan in the TMS inbox

"Mark, I am now slumped at my desk, sighing heavily like a teenager being asked to move their smelly trainers off the stairs. Come on boys, stick a rocket up yourselves and look lively! By the way, commiserations to Sarah in Canterbury for the demise of Monty/Montina. I had a cat called Willis in the 80s, named after our Bob - lived to a ripe age of 18, and was very fond of chips. Really"
Carole in Maidenhead in the TMS inbox

"I currently work as a Postman in Adelaide (we deliver on little 110cc scooters incidentally) and my colleague Upul went to school with Jayasuriya. Apparently he's a nice bloke too"
Pommie Steve, Adelaide, in the TMS inbox

TEA INTERVAL

0944: So, Sri Lanka lead by 299 - can we expect a declaration sometime in the evening session?

"It's times like this when we need a 'Flintoff'!"
"Why, can he keep wicket?"
Rudijay and Pet_area on 606

114th over - SL 392-5
The TMS crew note that bowling coach Ottis Gibson will be pleased that after 113 overs, we've not seen a single wide or no-ball yet. Touch wood. Jayawardene dabs a single past silly point off Monty. Sanga takes a single, Jayawardene blocks off the last two balls and it looks like we'll just have time to squeeze in another over before tea. Will we? No, umpire Asad Rauf takes off the bails and that's the tea interval.

113th over - SL 390-5
They crossed on the catch so new batsman Prasanna Jayawardene (the wickie, no relation to captain Mahela Jayawardene) takes strike and is off the mark with a single off Sidey. Sanga executes a perfect back-foot defensive stroke. He then takes a fresh guard once again - he does that more than any other batsman I've ever seen. It obviously works for him as he takes a single, and Jayawardene pinches the strike as he takes the score to 390 - a lead of 297.

"A man claiming to be Jayawardene's uncle once bought me a pot of tea in New Zealand. What a lovely bloke. Has anyone else experienced a similar level of kindness from a member of the Sri Lankan team's extended family?"
Chris C, Newcastle, in the TMS inbox

"That was the most muted Monty wicket celebration I've ever seen - he normally leaps about five feet in the air"
Simon Hughes on TMS

112th over - WICKET - Mubarak c sub (GP Swann) b Panesar 9 - SL 387-4
The Montster switches back to bowling round the wicket against the two left-handers. The moustachioed Mubarak thrusts his pad down the wicket against the bearded Montster to block one out. Then, full-time sub fielder Graeme Swann finally earns his spurs in the field when Mubarak lifts to long-on and Swann runs in a few paces to confidently take the catch. Another wicket maiden for Monty P!

"To lift the depression, I recommend going on a certain video website (which I have codenamed Tou Yube) and search for 'Sangakkara sledging Pollock'. It's probably one of the funniest things I've ever seen. I say ever, I mean this morning. There's not much to laugh about at the moment is there?"
Louis, Henley, in the TMS inbox

111th over - SL 387-4
A change of bowling as Bopara's off after a tidy five-over spell (overall figures 8-3-16-0) and Sidebottom returns. Sanga straight-drives for a couple, then carefully caresses another four through the covers. It's not been Sidey's day either.

110th over - SL 381-4
We've got about 20 minutes until tea. The Montster makes a good, tumbling stop off his own bowling, but Swann makes another slight misfield as Sanga runs a comfortable single down to long-on.

109th over - SL 380-4
Sanga cuts Bopara through the covers for a single, Mubarak tickles one down the leg side with the same result and then Sanga pinches the strike with a single, cheered on by a Sri Lankan gentleman in a bright orange shirt and sporting a splendid Merv Hughes-style moustache.

"It's difficult to compare Sangakarra with the latest crop of top class batsmen (Kallis, Ponting, Dravid etc) because he's more often than not had the added burden of keeping wicket, including marathon sessions to Murali. Considering how difficult batsmen find it to read Murali, it must be incredibly mentally tiring for a keeper who stands there for every single ball and then has to bat so high up the order. One can only wonder what his Test record would be if he was in the side purely as a batsman! What a great player!"
Michael, London, in the TMS inbox

"This tour is a gruelling schedule for the pace bowlers - even if they were all fit, there might be a case for rotating them"
Vic Marks on TMS

108th over - SL 377-4
Sanga chips Panesar to midwicket for a single. Monty strays with a half-volley which Mubarak drives, all along the ground, for four past cover point. And 606 is open for business for the day - do get involved and join the debate.

107th over - SL 372-4
Sangakkara guides Bopara to third man for a single, while the TV cameras pick out CMJ, Vic and scorer Jo in the TMS box, to their obvious amusement. Bopara is still bowling with useful accuracy.

106th over - SL 371-4
Mubarak finally gets off the mark when he walks down the track to Monty again but this time makes contact, and lifts a lofted drive over the bowler's head for four. Mubarak then thrusts his pad forward, Prior appeals but Monty doesn't.

105th over - SL 367-4
Prior is standing up to Bopara, who still has Sanga pretty tied down as the diving Bell (gag copyright CMJ) makes a good stop at cover. He finally breaks free of the shackles with a well-timed cover-drive for four. A virtual carbon copy shot stretches the lead to 274 runs.

"Right, this is getting stupid. It's like England do this specifically to annoy me. Sometimes I wish I was Australian. Then I punch myself repeatedly in the face as punishment"
Gareth Evans in the TMS inbox

104th over - SL 359-4
Monty floats one in at the nervous Mubarak, who's way out of his ground but keeper Prior makes a complete horlicks of what looked like a fairly simple stumping chance. Mubarak was so far out that surely Prior had enough time to gather the ball and remove the bails. However, Mubarak can't get Panesar away and that's four maidens on the trot. "It's amazing what a wicket can do", says Vic Marks on TMS.

103rd over - SL 359-4
It's still Bopara, who's giving a good example by showing how useful a medium-pacer can be when he bowls accurately. A white-haired gentleman in the crowd is reading Duncan Fletcher's recently published book, and Radio 4 LW listeners return as Bopara completes his second - and England's third - consecutive maiden.

102nd over - SL 359-4
New batsman is the left-handed Jehan Mubarak, who defends his first ball. He's on a pair. That's a wicket maiden for the Montster!

101.5 overs - WICKET - Silva lbw b Panesar 37 - SL 359-4
Monty goes round the wicket to the right-handed Silva - and he finally picks up his first wicket of the innings when Silva is hit on the pad and umpire Asad Rauf, after some deliberation, hoists his finger into the air. Did it straighten enough? Umpire's verdict is final. That ends a stand of 71.

"England were always going to be up against it from the moment they lost the toss. While Sri Lanka are not exactly a one-man team, Murali is pretty much all they need. Take him out of the equation and the SL attack in the first innings looked as effective as England's has today. He will relish having a go at England on the final day, and over two innings he will yet again have been the difference between the teams"
Mark, Germany, in the TMS inbox

101st over - SL 359-3
As I alluded to in the 99th over, England don't have a lot of bowling options with Hoggy off - but Anderson is taken off and Ravi Bopara is given a chance with his medium pace. He previously bowled the 46th, 48th and 50th overs. And he doesn't disappoint, sending down a fluent maiden. Sanga even plays and misses at a good length ball.

100th over - SL 359-3
More abject fielding from 12th man and full-time sub fielder Swann as Silva drives one which goes straight through Swann at mid-off and it goes for four. Swann is sent back to long-off. SIlva prods forward to one that spins, Prior whips the bails off but Silva was well in. With the regular drinks trolley attendant absent, KP pushes the trolley on.

99th over - SL 355-3
With Hoggy off the field and Sidey having just finished a spell, England don't have much choice other than to persevere with Anderson, and Sanga guides him away through the covers for his 16th four. "England are now in some trouble", says Aggers on TMS.

"Is the pitch getting easier to bat on with Monty getting very little assistance or is it turning into a minefield? Would it be possible for England to chase down 300 to win or is it asking a lot?"
Gavin Kay, Lancashire, in the TMS inbox

98th over - SL 351-3
A change of bowling as the Montster replaces Sidey. Hoggy update: An ECB apparatchik informs the TMS team that the Yorkshireman is off the field with a stiff and sore lower back. Bad times. Not much is going England's way here - the prisoners/ground staff are stood down from being on stand-by with the covers, as the sun returns. Sanga takes a single off the Montster, and Silva knocks one down to long leg for four. A single from the right-hander brings up 350 for the home side, and Sanga dabs a single to take the strike.

97th over - SL 344-3
The TV picture shows a number of monkeys watching play, including a parent monkey looking after a little monkey. Very cute. Sanga expertly guides Anderson through point for four, then scampers a single. A dog runs on the pitch - it's a different dog from the one which interrupted play on Saturday! He trots from square leg to long-off, and after he leaves the field, another Silva boundary brings up the fifty partnership. He then edges one past the solitary slip for another four as Radio 4 LW goes over to Yesterday in Parliament - but TMS continues on Radio 5 Live Sports Extra and via the BBC Sport website for UK users.

96th over - SL 331-3
Sanga caresses a single through point off Sidey. Silva then prods forward and Sidey kicks the ball towards the stumps to prevent a sharp single. Silva pulls one from outside off-stump to the midwicket boundary for four - these two have already put on 43 for the fourth wicket. Silva fishes at one outside off-stump and curses himself for not using his feet.

"Just a reminder: Sangakkara: just about the best batsman in the world. Truffles. Monks, that sort of thing.
Tom in the TMS inbox[See yesterday's live text for the full truffle/monk explanation - MM]

95th over - SL 326-3
Does Sangakkara have a touch of the Tendulkars? Plays beautifully, then when he's within spitting distance of a century, plays a few nervous, silly shots? He then executes a lofted cover-drive for four off Anderson to reach his hundred, and lifts off his helmet in celebration. He has now scored centuries against all the other nine Test teams. A single extends Sri Lanka's lead to 333.

"As a baseball fan, I've often wondered who would win if the England cricket team had to play a good baseball team (definitely not the Astros given recent performances). I think England would be better at baseball than the baseball team would be at cricket. Bowling would confuse the hell out of the baseball team, while the English batsman would be able to cope reasonably well with a pitched ball. Oh, and could you mention that my friend Geraint is a coward for not taking the bet that the Yankees would beat the Red Sox next year, especially when I'm treating him to dinner for losing this year?"
Alex, Englefield Green, in the TMS inbox

94th over - SL 321-3
Sanga flashes outside off-stump, edges it straight to Ian Bell at slip - and despite getting both hands to it, the chance is put down! Unbelievable! I realise Bell isn't a specialist slip, but surely any international cricketer should take a chance like that? My colleague Oliver Brett says he has "seen 60-year-olds in village matches take those". As the "Mitchell and Webb" snooker commentators might say, "Oooh, that's a BAD miss". Sidey probably isn't too happy either. Sanga, reprieved, taps a single to midwicket to reach 99. Sidey digs in a bouncer which Silva ducks.

93rd over - SL 320-3
That's worrying - Hoggy is taken out of the attack and leaves the field. 13th man Owais Shah comes on to field, and Anderson takes up the attack. Sanga flays him through the covers to reach 95. He then rocks on to the back foot, Bopara gives chase and they run two. Sanga then goes down on one knee but misses. Surely he can't be nervous now, considering how fluently he's batted in this match? He then leg-glances a single to keep the strike and reach 98 not out - two short of a first Test hundred against England.

Those of you in the Ben Dirs fan club might like to read his first missive from Vegas, ahead of the Hatton-Mayweather fight, on the BBC Sport website.

92nd over - SL 312-3
The prisoners/ground staff (see earlier) are on stand-by as the clouds get heavier. Silva tickles Sidey for a single, and Sidey tests Sanga with a couple of bouncers. A single off the last ball takes the left-hander to 91.

91st over - SL 311-3
Hoggy needs seven wickets to become England's fifth highest Test wicket-taker of all time. But Silva is already looking comfortably as he straight-drives for four. Hoggy then beats the outside edge with one short of a length. Even though Sanga's in the nervous nineties, Silva pinches the strike again off the last ball.

"I wonder why Ravi hasn't been given a bowl. He's in the side as an all-rounder after all. And every so often he comes up with a really good wicket"
Miall from Essex (who went to SL in 2003 and WISHES he could be there now), in the TMS inbox
[Quite - if you're not going to bowl him, they might as well have picked Shah, who's a better player of spin - MM]

90th over - SL 306-3
Sidey continues from the far end. Sanga leg-glances and it trickles away very fine for four leg byes. That brings up 300 for the hosts. Sanga pushes a single to rotate the strike. Once more, Silva angles the bat as he plays into the covers but Bopara makes a smart stop. The next ball is short and wide, and Silva chops the ball between gully and cover point for four. He then pinches the strike with a single. 10 from the over.

89th over - SL 296-3
Aggers on TMS notices that the sky has filled in - we might get some rain this afternoon, and he thinks England won't be too unhappy if we do. The second new ball is taken, and Hoggy unsurprisingly gets first use of the new cherry. His first ball hits Silva quite high on his right thigh. Ouch. Silva steers a single past gully, and Sangakkara takes the umpteenth new guard of his innings. Just one slip and a gully for Sanga, who flicks the ball past square leg for a single where umpire Asad Rauf has to leap out of the way. Silva opens the face and runs a single as Monty misfields at cover. Sanga guides another single - four from the over.

0744: We're back in action. Sri Lanka lead by 199 at this stage.

"I was amazed at Ian Bell's opinion, at the close yesterday, that England were in a position of strength. I also read with amusement Matt Prior's statement that practice surfaces included a gravel bed, as if that in itself was preparation enough. It is time the players are asked to focus on their game without making shallow statements. It is encouraging that KP seems to have shut up of late. Prior would do well to consider that he is extremely fortunate to be there in the face of so many talented rivals, mainly thanks to his fairytale debut against a sub-standard Windies attack, and to the current coach. How many times are England going to squander a first-innings advantage or to escape defeat by a near miracle?"
Johann Abraham in the TMS inbox

"Absolute rubbish bowling by England, Murali took six wickets in 35 overs and England has bowled 86 overs for two wickets"
Shrivathsa in the TMS inbox

"Why do England persist with Anderson - he's as dangerous as a warm muffin"
Terry, Perth WA, in the TMS inbox

"I know some of your regular readers will be saddened to hear the news that my beloved fish Monty/Montina (as featured twice on the live commentary this summer) gulped her watery last and has passed onto fishy heaven. I feel bereft. I can only hope that the Montster takes a 5-fer sharpish in what would be a marvellous tribute to a much-loved pet"
Sarah, Canterbury, in the TMS inbox
[RIP the aquatic Montster - MM]

LUNCH INTERVAL

0706: Right, time for a snack. Do keep your e-mails and texts coming in, have a listen to the TMS discussions during the interval and I'll be back with you soon.

"That was a chastening morning for England"
Former Somerset and England off-spinner Vic Marks on TMS

88th over - SL 292-3
This should be the last over before lunch. As we expected, Sidey replaces Vaughan, but they still haven't taken the new ball - presumably saving it for after the interval. Sanga guides a single through the covers to take his score to 87. Silva is wearing a chain around his neck which appears to be gold rather than silver (or silva), and he's off the mark with an off-drive which sub fielder Swann stops just inside the boundary and they run three. That's lunch, ladies and gentlemen.

"In England's innings, you observed, in relation to Bell's dismissal, that the difference between good players and great players is that the latter do not play the type of shot that led to Bell being out. [I think it was Aggers that said that, not me - MM] It seems highly unlikely therefore that Sangakkara will chip one to the infield. When did England last have a player of whom the same could be said with such confidence?"
Ian, Barcelona, in the TMS inbox

87th over - SL 288-3
New batsman is the right-handed Chamara Silva. Vic Marks on TMS senses that Hoggy, who had a bit of a back twinge yesterday, is still bowling through a bit of pain. Silva shoulders arms to one that nips back off the seam and it just misses the off bail. Sidey warms up - will he get an over in before lunch? Silva sees off the rest of the over.

86.1 overs - WICKET - M Jayawardene c Prior b Hoggard 65 - SL 288-3
Change of bowling - Hoggy (still bowling with the old ball) replaces the Montster, Jayawardene tries to leg-glance one behind the stumps to Prior (who's standing up). And Jayawardene walks! Without even waiting for the umpire's verdict. A fine innings from the Sri Lankan skipper, and some good sportsmanship too.

86th over - SL 288-2
Vaughan gives it a bit more flight than Panesar, and Sanga guides him to midwicket for a single. Vaughan really looks as he could do with a haircut, as it's getting very long at the back. Jayawardene steers the ball to deep cover and trots through for a single, and these two are starting to take singles at will - they take one more apiece.

If you're just waking up in the UK and you're off to work, don't forget that even when you're away from your computer, you can still follow all the action here on BBC Sport on your mobile, PDA or other handheld device.

85th over - SL 284-2
Jayawardene turns Monty away for a single into the large open space in the midwicket area. Sanga takes a single to increase the lead to 191. "These two batsmen have turned this game into a mixture of chess and snooker, from the way they position the ball", says the ever-sporty Vic Marks on TMS.

"Far from being turned down, the stump microphone should be turned up... Listening to Prior's banter is far more entertaining than any of England's bowling so far this morning. Keep up the good work, Mark!"
J-L in Pordenone (Italy) in the TMS inbox

84th over - SL 282-2
Jayawardene turns Vaughan for a single, while the other Sri Lanka players read newspapers on their balcony. Sanga sees off the rest of the over - lunch in under 15 minutes.

83rd over - SL 281-2
Anderson's off, and the Montster has changed ends. He bowls over the wicket to Jayawardene, who again is happy to kick away anything that pitches outside leg stump. Jayawardene then gives himself some room and hoists a first-bounce four to long-off. He then takes a two to leg, and nudges a single to complete the over.

"I awake to a glorious day in Camps Bay, Cape Town, and can only imagine Murali's goggly eyes and cheeky chappy grin at the prospect of a significant lead, a dusty turning pitch and trembling England batsmen"
Swiss Tony, Cape Town, in the TMS inbox

82nd over - SL 274-2
They still don't take the new ball. The Montster is off, and Vaughan brings himself on for some off-spin. Jayawardene takes a single, and Vaughan gets one to turn against Sanga. He sees off the over, which yields just that one run. A Cricket Australia media release announces that spinner Stuart MacGill is to undergo hand surgery as he's been suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome.

81st over - SL 273-2
Sanga flicks Anderson off his legs for three to Monty at long leg. That's the ninth century partnership between these two, and it's been quite even - Jayawardene has hit 52 and Sanga 50 from the 102 stand, with no extras. Jayawardene cuts just wide of backward point for a single. Prior stands up to the stumps. Another careful glance to the square-leg boundary by Sanga, and that's another expensive over by Anderson.

80th over - SL 265-2
This could well be the last over with the old ball. Jayawardene gives himself some room against the Montster, and reaches his 30th Test fifty with a late-cut single. The partnership is now worth 96. Sanga steers away a single, and Jayawardene yet again pads Monty away when it pitches outside leg-stump. He then works a two to Sidey at deep midwicket

79th over - SL 261-2
Matt Prior calls "come on Baby Elephant", possibly to Hoggy at mid-on, who winces. Aggers on TMS wishes Prior's stump microphone could be turned down, and threatens to do the same to summariser Angus Fraser's microphone. Anderson finds Jayawardene's edge and it goes first-bounce to Bell, the now solitary slip. The skipper dabs a comfortable single which takes him to 49.

78th over - SL 260-2
Panesar begins the seventh over of his spell - and his 25th of the innings, regularly switching between bowling over and round the wicket. Sanga advances down the track, Monty fields off his own bowling and hurls it back at the stumps as Sanga has to retreat into his crease. He reaches 75 with a single while Jayawardene, who is on 47, pads one away from outside leg stump. He pinches the strike with a single.

77th over - SL 258-2
CMJ wants Hoggard to bowl, so England can increase the pressure from both ends (like Sri Lanka did with Fernando and Murali yesterday morning). But it's still Anderson, who's bowling to Sanga with a 7-2 off-side field which only includes one slip. Cook makes a sprawling stop in the covers and they run one. Jayawardene prods a single, and Sanga then runs another quick one to Hoggy at mid-off. Some great running here from Sri Lanka - I think they know which England fielders they can take quick singles to. "Come on Jimmy boy" calls Prior from behind the stumps.

"Let's face it, cricket rules due to the fact you will see England either smash the ball around or fall apart! Both make nail biting sports"
Guy in London, via text on 81111

76th over - SL 255-2
While a Sri Lanka fan in the stands plays a wooden flute, the players are refreshed and Monty goes over the wicket to the right-handed Jayawardene. "What would Panesar give for a doosra?" ponders CMJ on TMS. Jayawardene is careful in defence as Monty gives it some air. He then tosses one up outside leg-stump which Jayawardene is happy to kick away. Four overs until the second new ball is available.

"Turning on TMS for some light relief I caught the initial line of 'He's a heroin addict'! I was just wondering if this is a first on TMS? If so I'm proud that I tuned in just in the nick of time for such an historic moment. Keep up the good work"
Matthew, Wrexham, in the TMS inbox
[This was when Simon Hughes was talking about the prisoner he spoke to - see 69th over - MM]

"Good to see the commentators paying attention, noticing that the captain had left the field. Mind those scorpions lads"
Pete Chapman in the TMS inbox

75th over - SL 255-2
Change of bowling - Sidey is replaced by Anderson, and he takes some punishment from Jayawardene who guides him away for two before fiercely square-cutting for four. After he takes a single, we're treated to another superb Sangakkara cover-drive. If you have young children who want to learn how to play the game, they could do a lot worse than watch this man play. 11 off the over - another drinks break is taken.

74th over - SL 244-2
Monty comes round the wicket to the right-handed Jayawardene, who glances a single to take his score to 39. He's over the wicket to Sanga, who uses his feet well to beautifully cover-drive for four. Sanga takes another new guard as Monty goes back round the wicket - "it's a bit like a game of chess between these two", says Angus Fraser on TMS.

"Am taking a lot of flak from the Aussies after they destroyed the Sri Lankans, fortunately my boss is Dutch and doesn't get it at all. Still it's a quiet day at work and the text cricket fills the last couple of hours"
Andrew, Newcastle, NSW, in the TMS inbox
[Glad to be of service - MM]

73rd over - SL 239-2
Sanga digs out a yorker from Sidey, while Simon Hughes on TMS reads out a very flowery description of Murali's record-breaking wicket ball from yesterday, as written in the Sri Lanka local paper. Apparently it spun twice in the air (and wasn't just a straight ball) - by the sound of this correspondent, it changed direction more times than the "magic bullet" which killed JFK (as in the Oliver Stone/Kevin Costner film). Sanga trundles a two to full-time sub fielder Graeme Swann as the runs continue to flow.

"Baseball is popular in many Asian countires and in central America - not just the US and Japan. Not that it makes it any more exciting though"
Alan, expat in Japan, in the TMS inbox

"In sunny Brisbane waiting for a wicket, might start The Barmy Army Wicket song on me own! 'Everywhere we go...'"
John Evans in the TMS inbox

72nd over - SL 237-2
Sanga comes down the pitch to the Montster, and he fends one off into the air but it falls just clear of Cook at short leg. Single taken. Jayawardene pushes into the covers, Bopara whips in a throw and Sidey is unable to back it up cleanly as they run a second. Monty then has to pull up as shaggy-haired umpire Asad Rauf's collection of hats and sunglasses fall on the ground as Monty enters his delivery stride. Another Jayawardene single increases the lead to 143 - we still have just over an hour before lunch, this is a punishing session for England. Sanga then dabs a single to third man.

71st over - SL 232-2
Aggers notes that England bowling coach Ottis Gibson has an "enormous" smile, although he's not smiling at the moment as Sri Lanka lead by 139. Aggers is shown the scorecard from the England B match he was talking about, and is astonished that he batted at 11, even below Norman Gifford. The game has gone a bit quiet, and Sidey bowls a maiden to Jayawardene. Just one run from the last three overs.

70th over - SL 232-2
Owais Shah is on the field again, though the TMS boys can't work out who's gone off. Jayawardene takes a single off Panesar, and Aggers works out that Vaughan is off the field, possibly for a chat with coach Peter Moores.

69th over - SL 231-2
Sanga defends a maiden against Sidey, while Aggers on TMS reminisces about touring Sri Lanka with England B in 1986. The tour party only had one spinner, Nick Cook, so when they played on a spin-friendly pitch, Hampshire seamer Tim Tremlett had to try bowling off-spin, while they had to get clearance from Lord's for tour manager Norman Gifford, then aged 45, to play.

"I've just been talking to one of those prisoners who are helping the ground staff [see Day 3 live text]. They're from Kandy Open Prison, and one of them said he thought Jonathan Agnew was a fine bowler. He said if Sri Lanka get 350, he couldn't see any way back for England. They've nearly finished their sentences, this is their rehabilitation into society"
Simon Hughes on TMS

68th over - SL 231-2
Jayawardene square-cuts Monty for four to take his score to 34. England desperate for a breakthrough now.

"The exciting news from the Houston Astros is that they've just signed Kazuo Matsui on a three-year deal, he hit .288 last season and replaces the retiring Craig Biggio. That said, I only moved here a few months ago and have only watched one game, so can't really be considered a fan yet. All I know is that the Astros were rubbish this season and got beaten regularly by all & sundry. More in common with the England ODI side that you might have thought!"
Don, previously of Weymouth, now in Houston TX, in the TMS inbox[I was pleased with the Matsui deal, but with closer Brad Lidge traded away, I think the pitching staff is worryingly below-par at the moment - MM]

67th over - SL 227-2
Jayawardene carefully guides Sidey between second slip and gully for another four. How many runs will have to come through third man before England bother to put a fielder there? The skipper dabs a single into the covers to get them off double-Nelson (222). If David Shepherd is watching or listening at home, does he leap around in front of his radio? Sanga exquisitely flicks Sidey off his pads to fine leg for four.

"England didn't strike in the first six or seven overs when they needed to - and the batsmen look quite comfortable now"
Former Middlesex and Durham seamer Simon Hughes, aka "The Analyst", on TMS

66th over - SL 218-2
As Radio 4 LW listeners return from the shadowy world of the Shipping Forecast, Anderson's off and the Montster comes on, bowling over the wicket to the left-handed Sanga, who defends stoutly as Panesar tosses it into the rough. Sanga eventually steers one backward of point and they take two. The lead is now 125.

65th over - SL 216-2
That Jayawardene single in the last over also brought up the 50 stand - and in a remarkably equitable partnership, the two batsmen have scored 25 runs each. After the first couple of deliveries to Jayawardene, Sidey comes round the wicket but the home skipper executes a textbook defensive stroke. But after two balls round the wicket, he comes over the wicket as Jayawardene sees off the over.

"Early night last night was it? [Yes - MM] As for internal and external injuries, the best cricket injury (and by best, I mean most painful looking) I've seen was when our wickie came up for a full bunger in the face. He lost two teeth and lots of blood. He still came out to bat later on though. Are injuries of the mouth considered internal or external, I wonder"
Rick T, Dubai, in the TMS inbox

"Mark - I would like to take back my comment about the NFL as I have just seen the Ravens v Patriots game and it was rather good. However - give me a ticket to Trent Bridge or Lord's any day of the week!"
Andy in Nottingham, now slightly more enlightened, in the TMS inbox

64th over - SL 216-2
Monty has to wait his turn as Anderson continues with his sixth over of the morning, and Jayawardene profits from a slight misfield by Swann as they come back for a second run. Jimmy drops one in short and the skipper confidently hooks for four - the 10th boundary of the day, though to be fair, most of them have come off the edge. Jayawardene digs out a single and the rickety drinks trolley is brought on. Sri Lanka lead by 123. Time for England to regroup.

63rd over - SL 209-2
The Montster is warming up, it looks like he could be on next over. Sanga takes a fresh guard to Sidey, who hits him on the pad but it looked like it was going too high. Sanga is batting quite far outside his crease, and gets an inside edge which misses the leg stump by centimetres and shoots down to fine leg for four.

"Dear Andy in Nottingham, you've obviously forgotten that other great US sport on the World stage - Baseball. Oh sorry, only Japan plays that too"
Stefan, displaced Brit, in Austin, Texas (enjoying the late-night coverage while he works) in the TMS inbox
[Texas? Too much to hope for you to be a Houston Astros fan like me? MM]

62nd over - SL 205-2
A couple of England supporters in one of the stands are starting to decorate a rather bare-looking tree with some Christmas tinsel and baubles. Sanga flicks Anderson into the on-side and although they can only run a single, that's his 25th Test fifty. That's six successive scores of over 50 for him in Test cricket, and you begin to fear that if these two get their eye in, they could very well bat all day. Jayawardene dabs a four past the slips towards third man for four. Immensely frustrating for Anderson.

61st over - SL 200-2
First bowling change of the morning as Hoggy is replaced by Ryan Sidebottom, who looks to get a bit of reverse swing with his first ball. Curious how a ball can reverse-swing when it didn't swing normally at the beginning of the innings. Sanga tickles a single to third man to bring up the Sri Lanka 200 and take his score to 49.

"Can you please clarify how a broken finger can be considered an external injury?"
Christopher Crome in the TMS inbox
[It's all ICC regulations. It seems that an obvious, genuine injury like a broken bone is classed as external, while an otherwise invisible injury like a muscle pull is classed as internal. Presumably it's all to stop people pulling a fast one and claiming to have pulled a muscle to avoid having to field, then batting in their normal position - MM]

60th over - SL 199-2
Vic Marks on TMS describes Sanga's helmet as "unnecessarily wide-brimmed", and Jayawardene's as "more elegant". Anderson fires one in to Jayawardene which comes back a long way and just brushes his thigh (but not his bat or glove) as Prior makes a tumbling catch and they appeal, unsuccessfully, for a catch behind. Another good maiden for Anderson, but England still out of luck this morning.

"Mark, In waiting for the cricket to start I've had to watch American football - is there in the history of the world a more pointless and confusing game?"
Andy in Nottingham in the TMS inbox
[Don't let my BBC website colleague and NFL aficionado Martin Gough hear you talk like that - MM]

59th over - SL 199-2
Colly's back on the field, replacing Shah. Hoggy, who tries to conceal the ball as he runs in, tries a slower ball which Sanga spots early and guides through midwicket for four.

58th over - SL 195-2
Jayawardene takes a single, and just as well that Sanga quickly made his ground as Monty's throw hits the stumps at the striker's end. Sanga runs a single, and then Jayawardene nicks one which, agonisingly, bounces inches in front of the diving Prior behind the stumps as he leaps to his right, and another four ensues.

57th over - SL 189-2
Colly goes off the field, presumably after landing awkwardly off the first ball of the day. 13th man Owais Shah comes on to the field to replace him. Jayawardene avoids his "pair" with a handsome cover drive for four, before defending a good off-cutter. He works Hoggy to fine leg - and Monty is very square at long leg, and he can't prevent the four. Jayawardene takes a single to complete the over.

"Join you I will, bright (?) and early cos I'm three hours ahead of you. Bit cold here, walked me dawg and the hairs in my nose froze! So I guess it is now below minus 15. But I have comfort and warmth in knowing 'our boys' are gonna sweat today! The Hog needs to take some early wickets to keep us in. Bring back Mark Ealham! Or at least someone like a 'Botham'. Whilst I'm here, why ain't there any Kent players picked? Ever! Is it 'coz we 'ave a tree in our garden?"
Cookie in Russia in the TMS inbox

56th over - SL 180-2
Sanga gets another slightly lucky edge, nicking it through the vacant third slip area for four. Colly at second slip moves a couple of yards to his left in a typical "closing-the-stable-door-after-the-horse-has-bolted" scenario. A much better shot from Sanga sees him cut for four through backward point, and a friendly policeman fields the ball just outside the rope before returning it to England. Sri Lanka now lead by 87.

"Good to be joining you from Wet Wales again, Mark. Doesn't Umpire Rauf know smoking afflicts eyesight? Hopefully in England's favour!"
Tom McGillicuddy, Aberystwyth, via text on 81111

55th over - SL 172-2
Jayawardene is still yet to score, driving to sub fielder Graeme Swann (who faces another full day's fielding in place of the injured Pietersen) at mid-on a couple of times. A second successive maiden for England.

Don't forget, on an early morning like this, I'll need your help - do get involved by texting 81111 (with "CRICKET" as the first word"), or e-mail tms@bbc.co.uk (with "For Mark Mitchener" as the subject), or join the debate on 606 after 0900 GMT. How do you think the day will unfold?

54th over - SL 172-2
In a slightly surprising move, Anderson opens up at the other end (ahead of Sidebottom) - he did get a wicket yesterday, but not before he was carted for six fours in an over by Jayasuriya. It's a maiden as Sanga can't pierce the infield.

"If you want to see Anderson grumpy, you should have seen him on the second day of practice when he had back trouble. He was slogging everything in the nets and then knocked his stumps over when he nicked one"
Former Middlesex and England seam bowler Angus Fraser on TMS

"I spotted umpire Asad Rauf having a crafty fag this morning"
BBC cricket correspondent Jonathan Agnew on TMS

53rd over - SL 172-2
England nearly get Sangakkara first ball as he fences at one through the slips and it just evades the diving Paul Collingwood at a widish second slip. He feels his knee painfully and the England physio Kirk Russell is standing by on the boundary in case he needs treatment. Sanga nicks a quick single. Jayawardene's on a pair, and he drives straight to Monty P at extra cover. At the end of the over, Physio Kirk comes on to treat Colly, while he also offers Ian Bell a small white towel just bigger than a face flannel.

0428: England start with their usual "huddle". Aggers on TMS thinks it'll be a crucial first 30-45 minutes, and Matthew Hoggard is opening up.

0420: Morning all - it's nearly time for Day Four of the first Test. The match situation is this: Sri Lanka are 167-2 in their second innings. Effectively, they're 74-2 in a one-innings match, because England led by 93 on first innings. Kumar Sangakkara and skipper Mahela Jayawardene are at the crease.

Kevin Pietersen won't field in this innings because of a fractured bone in his finger - although he will bat in his usual position in England's second innings because the injury is an "external" one (rather than an "internal" one such as a muscle pull).

And it was all go yesterday - Muttiah Muralitharan set a new Test wicket-taking record, and Sanath Jayasuriya retired from Tests.